Grand dame of the scene Meryl Streep, Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts

Since his first appearance in the cinema, in 1977, in a small role in a major film, Julia, by Fred Zinnemann, more than 45 years have passed. Meryl Streep has been involved in the theater before with great success, one would say brilliantly: in 1969 at Vassar College she was chosen for the lead role in Strindberg’s classic Miss Juliaand seven years later she was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the works the memory of two MondaysArthur Miller, i 27 wagons full of cottonby Tennessee Williams. He also faced some primetime jobs on television, such as series The Holocaust, which made her a real celebrity in the US and won her an Emmy for the lead role. It happened in 1978, the same year he appeared as a silent emotional cyclone in Michael Cimino’s film Huntera particularly dramatic competition for her.

Meryl Streep agreed to this job in order to be close to her beloved John Cazale during filming, who was then diagnosed with terminal cancer. So much so that he did not get to see the premiere of that mythical title about the Vietnam War. He died at the age of 42 after finishing filming his character in advance, they say thanks to the pressure that Robert de Niro put on the producers (who would also give part of their salary to pay for health insurance). Cazale and Streep met on stage in 1976, playing the roles of the evil Angel and the upstart Isabella in Shakespeare’s comedy measure for measure at New York’s Shakespeare in the Park festival.

just a few months after Hunter arrive Kramer vs. Kramer, by Robert Benton, who awarded the translator the first of her three Oscars – this one, for Best Supporting Actress. And it didn’t stop. Not only does she now hold the absolute record for Oscar (21) and Golden Globe (32) nominations, but she has become a family figure, a woman present in millions of homes because of the depth and humanity of their performances on recordings as The wife of a French lieutenant (1981), Sophie’s decision (1982), To fall in love (1984), Enough and Memories of Africa (1985), iron stem (1987), Bridges of Madison (one thousand nine hundred and ninety-five), Hours (2002), messenger of fear (2004), Dear mother! (2008), Iron woman (2011), August (2013), Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), Pentagon files (2017), Laundry: Dirty money (2019) and don’t look up (2021).

This is just an example of his acting capacity and talent for choosing important achievements, which built a very solid career around relevant filmmakers such as Karel Reisz, Alan J. Pakula, Ulu Grosbard, Sydney Pollack, Clint Eastwood, Stephen Daldry. , Jonathan Demme, John Patrick Shanley, John Wells, Stephen Frears, Steven Spielberg, Greta Gerwig, Steven Soderbergh, Adam McKay, Robert Altman, Mike Nichols, Spike Jonze, Curtis Hanson and Woody Allen.

At the age of 73, no one disputes that. She is an icon, a grand dame on the world stage. No one remembers the “cubic nose” that Truman Capote hurtfully attributed to him. There wasn’t even a debate when her political affiliation – which led her to endorse Hillary Clinton’s campaign – prompted Donald Trump’s attacks on the actress, who he said was vastly overrated. Now Meryl Streep is receiving a new accolade, the Princess of Asturias Prize for the Arts, which drew widespread agreement and applause for, the jury reminded, “the dignity of the art of acting and ensuring that ethics and coherence transcend her work, with the virtue of emphasizing that human beings, and especially women , they must win and stand out from their uniqueness, from their diversity».

As well as outlining her activism in favor of equality, the verdict praised her for showing “a brilliant career chaining performances in which she gives life to rich and complex female characters, which invite reflection and form the critical spirit of the viewer”. In addition, he emphasizes “honesty and responsibility in the selection of his works, in the service of inspired and exemplary narratives”, which transcend the stage “with an impeccable interpretive technique, armed only with his gestures, voice and gaze”.

Streep, whose candidacy was suggested by Almodóvar, was “very honored” to receive the award and said she couldn’t wait to visit Spain.